Ryan Swope says overthinking is contributing to dropped passes

Dropped passes in key spots plagued the A&M's receiving corps vs. Mississippi State, and Ryan Swope believes some of those can be explained by the complexities of Fisher's system. The former A&M wideout discussed how overthinking can impact a receiver's play and more.

Key notes from Ryan Swope interview

• I'm good. I've got three boys that are all sick, so I've been kicked in the teeth a few times. I hope they get better. On top of that, the Ags are not winning football games, so it's just depressing.
   
• With the receivers, it's hard to fully evaluate them by watching on TV because you don't get to see the routes being run downfield. I think there are some lackadaisical routes being run. They're not as sharp or as crisp, and that goes back to fundamentals. The great receivers find a way to get it done and be as perfect as possible. I was always getting extra reps and extra catches after practice to make sure the timing and chemistry is there with my quarterback. As a receiver, you have to spend extra time on your craft.
   
• The drops are frustrating and disappointing, especially in third-and-short situations where we might have a good drive going on. Evan Stewart dropped a wide-open touchdown pass. That was his moment. Go make it. I hate seeing receivers drop balls because it kills the momentum, it kills drives, and it kills your confidence. I hope this was Stewart's worst game that he will ever play, and I hope he brushes it off. I thought the play where he stuck one hand up there was lazy and selfish. Things like that frustrate me.
   
• Before I rag on the entire receiver crew, I thought Moose Muhammad played a fantastic football game. That guy is really talented. Where has he been? I saw some things from #7 that really excited me, and I hope Jimbo Fisher finds ways to get him the ball more. That was great. He almost filled the void of Ainias Smith. He stepped up.
   
• We're missing Ainias and that leadership. He's a dynamic player that can do it all. He was our most consistent guy, and we're definitely feeling the loss of Ainias Smith right now.
   
• You have to shake it off. Good players find ways to brush off the drops and the losses and come back better. I was a sophomore when I had a few drops in a two-game stretch. The only way I could get that monkey off my back was to get on the JUGS machine. You have to work on fundamentals. It's a matter of getting those fundamentals and confidence back in place, but you have to put in the work.
   
• With our offense being too complicated and too complex, if you throw too much at these receivers at once, it becomes too blurry. This game should be fun, but they're having to think too much. They are out there overthinking rather than playing. They're overthinking and then forget to catch the football. If you simplify it, you should see fewer drops. Who knows how to simplify it though. I hear that it's so complex. Most likely, these guys are overthinking and forgetting to do the most important thing, which is catching the football.
   
• Good coaches find a way to adapt to the players they have, even if that means adapting their philosophies in order to find a way to win. I just hope that happens moving forward.
   
• I thought Haynes King played better than we have seen. Max Johnson did a good job, and he's tough as hell. He sat back there and got the crap beat out of him. I thought King looked the most comfortable that he has yet. Sometimes sitting on the sideline can help. I thought King did a fine job, and one of the interceptions wasn't his fault. I'm anxious to see how he does against Alabama because we saw glimpses. I think moving forward that all the guys trust in Haynes.
   
• At the end of the day, Alabama is coached really well. They're disciplined really well. I don't think these two teams are the best that we've seen, especially A&M. However, Alabama has slid by at times, and their defense has been vulnerable at times. It could be a long day on Saturday, and it could be a long season. I just hope we see some changes moving forward.
   
• Muhammad got it done this week. He impressed me. I'm excited about him, and I love the way he plays. He brought a new energy to our sidelines. I think we'll see a lot more of him, and if we don't, I'm going to be disappointed. He had a fantastic game.
   
• The offensive line has really struggled. I know they're young, but they're going to be tested this week against a stout defensive line. I don't think they're going to get it done this week, and I think it will be a long day for them vs. Alabama. It all starts up front. Even in the NFL, you can have the best quarterback in the league, but if you don't have a good offensive line, it's not going to be worth a darn. I just hope we see improvement.
   
• Devon Achane gets it done every week. I also think Haynes King gets it done. I think he'll have a good week, and I think he'll take care of the football.